Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn has called the UK’s “soaring homelessness” a “disgrace,” blaming the Conservative government’s austerity drive for the magnitude of the problem, after homelessness figures hit an 8-year peak.

“It’s a disgrace that young and often vulnerable people are among the hardest-hit from the government’s cuts to welfare – cuts that make it far harder for people facing homelessness to get back on their feet,” he said.

“We must all fight for a society that is more decent, secure and fair, and where no one facing homelessness is cast aside.”

The number of families living in emergency accommodation has reached its highest level since the 2008 financial crisis.

Between July and September of this year almost 70,000 families were housed in temporary accommodation including hostels and hotels. In the same three-month period, councils throughout the UK accepted some 15,000 new applications for “statutory homeless,” according to figures released by the Department of Communities and Local Government.

Chartered Institute of Housing policy chief Melanie Rees told the Independent the rising tide of homelessness is tied to the failure of welfare and housing assistance to keep up with rapidly rising rents.